Language Nerds Do Earth

Let’s get grammatical! Have you ever thought about punctuation and how it helps save lives? For example, the difference between “Let’s eat Grandma!” and “Let’s eat, Grandma!” makes a really big difference! One is cannibalism, the other a friendly invitation to dinner! In this episode, we look at some hilarious comma fails (like those concerning … Continue reading Episode 19: Punctuation The post Episode 19: Punctuation first appeared on Language Nerds Do Earth.

Have you ever thought about why some cultures put higher values on different aspects of society than others? For example, what is it that makes some groups (like Koreans and Spaniards) less likely to move far away from home, or others (like Germans and Swedes) more likely to be proactive about taking care of their … Continue reading Episode 20: How Cultural Values Differ The post Episode 20: How Cultural Values Differ first appeared on Language Nerds Do Earth.

Traveling is one of the most rewarding things you can do, but it often comes with dangers. At best, it’s an annoying little part of your trip (and a good story afterward), but at worst, it can be devastating financially or in other ways. This week we talk about what’s happened to us in the … Continue reading Episode 21: Travel Scams The post Episode 21: Travel Scams first appeared on Language Nerds Do Earth.

Disclaimer: this episode is full of four-letter words. They are censored (so we can keep our “clean” rating), but we want to give you a heads up in case your sensibilities are offended by the topic! This week, we put our mouths right into the gutter and talk about swearing. First, why do we swear? … Continue reading Episode 22: Swearing Around the World The post Episode 22: Swearing Around the World first appeared on Language Nerds Do Earth.

Hello, wonderful people! Welcome back after our short little break we took due to travel and sickness, and this week we have an extra-special episode to make up for it! Are you someone who always throws salt over their left shoulder, or shudders at the thought of walking under a ladder? Maybe you’re someone who … Continue reading Episode 23: Cultural Superstitions The post Episode 23: Cultural Superstitions first appeared on Language Nerds Do Earth.

The people you’re with (or not with) when you’re traveling can make or break a trip. This week we talk to Jane, who traveled solo for 4 months around Southeast Asia before linking up with a travel buddy. She tells us about her amazing experience, and shares some advice on going solo! A huge thanks … Continue reading Episode 24: To Travel With or Without Others The post Episode 24: To Travel With or Without Others first appeared on Language Nerds Do Earth.

It’s time for some heavy nerding-out, y’all. This week is a continuation of one of our most popular episodes (#16), the Evolution of English, Part 1. In Part 2, we look at Shakespearean English: was it really similar to American English? The answer is a bit less straightforward than the rumor-spreaders would have you believe! … Continue reading Episode 25: The Evolution of English, Part 2 The post Episode 25: The Evolution of English, Part 2 first appeared on Language Nerds Do Earth.

This week we take a look at some of the fun festivals around the world that celebrate this beautiful time of year! This is a followup of episode 3, when we talked about spring festivals around the world. Today, we start in Mexico with the Day of the Dead, then travel to Argentina’s wine festival, … Continue reading Episode 26: Fall Festivals The post Episode 26: Fall Festivals first appeared on Language Nerds Do Earth.

Have you got the long-term travel bug? Have you been considering acting on it? We put our heads together and talk pros and cons of living and working abroad, and what kind of options you have for making it happen. Whether you’re a digital wizard, in the medical world, or have a passion for farming, … Continue reading Episode 27: Traveling Jobs The post Episode 27: Traveling Jobs first appeared on Language Nerds Do Earth.

Iceland — is it in North America or Europe? Is it a land, or made of ice? Why doesn’t Björk seem to have a last name? These are all questions. Do we answer them? Maybe. But we definitely talk about the Icelandic language: an anomaly among languages, this baby has been consistent for forever (OK, … Continue reading Episode 28: Icelandic The post Episode 28: Icelandic first appeared on Language Nerds Do Earth.

(Patrice had a little mic trouble for the first third of this episode. Please bear with us until about minute 13, when she mysteriously shifts to much better audio quality) “Saving face” is an idea that is very difficult to grasp for people who don’t grow up around it. It is a collectivist, high-context concept … Continue reading Episode 29: Saving Face The post Episode 29: Saving Face first appeared on Language Nerds Do Earth.

This week we have a little advice about how to make your trip the most interesting, personal one you can — by getting off the beaten path! Although covering the famous sights in a travel destination is awesome too, it can be really fun and adventurous to go see things less-traveled. We have some tips … Continue reading Episode 30: Getting Off the Beaten Path The post Episode 30: Getting Off the Beaten Path first appeared on Language Nerds Do Earth.

This week we have a little fun looking at idioms from around the world! One of our favorite examples: the Swedish “if there’s room in the heart, there’s room for the butt” meaning, basically, “if we like you, we’ll make room for you.” We explore where idioms come from and how they are related to … Continue reading Episode 31: Idioms The post Episode 31: Idioms first appeared on Language Nerds Do Earth.

This week, we listen to a couple friends who have experienced different cultures as gay individuals — China and the West. We really wanted to know how their experiences differed, and what they thought about it. A million thanks to Garry and Haochen for opening up on some topics that aren’t normal conversation in everyday … Continue reading Episode 32: The Queer Experience Across Cultures The post Episode 32: The Queer Experience Across Cultures first appeared on Language Nerds Do Earth.

Have you ever gone to a different country and/or culture for the first time and thought, “man, I really know what I’m doing and totally blend in!”* If so, then you either don’t need to listen to this episode, or you were wrong. There are a lot of things we do and don’t think about … Continue reading Episode 33: Travel Faux Pas to Avoid The post Episode 33: Travel Faux Pas to Avoid first appeared on Language Nerds Do Earth.